Connecting Visual Basic 2010 Express to SQL Server 2008 Express Database via IP

Hi there VB Forums Community!

Im an okay programmer as far as skill right now I am still learning as we all are I need some help from some experienced VB.NET programmers in the community to help me get started, I appreciate any and all help. Thanks
Here is the scoop:

I am trying to make a user account SQL database work with Visual Basic 2008 Express for login purposes, i.e. usernames & passwords.
Plan is to host this server so people can login to use the the application and verify they have a valid account. I would like to host all the account information in SQL due to the possiblity of hundreds of users at any given time. I also need the ability to add data to the database for users registering for the first time. The SQL server will need to be able to access the SQL Server databases remote via WAN.


Thanks again!

-Ryan

The WAN has nothing to do with it. The server needs to have a unique IP-addess (not local!), means it needs to be installed on a server which is connected to the internet.

I am aware of that and already have a Win Server 08 64bit with SQL Server 2008 Express ready to go. Can you assist further?

In what way? can you connect to the server?